Getting There: Thruway exit strategy explained as motorists wait

State traffic experts say it's a matter of time and comings or goings

By Tim O'Brien

Updated 6:51 am, Monday, June 24, 2013

Q: I work in downtown Schenectady and travel the Thruway to get there. When I exit the Thruway at 25, there are three lanes open. However, in the evening on my way home there are only two. Interstate 890 gets backed up, and cars merging from 890 and those entering from Route 146 are all trying to get into those two lanes. It seems logical to me if you have three exit lanes open in the morning, then you should have three entry lanes open in the evening.

A:The Thruway Authority adjusts the configuration of lanes based on plaza size, time of day, traffic volume and level of cash vs. E-ZPass traffic, said Colin Brennan, a spokesman for the agency.

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Hot spots

What to watch for this week:

Interstate 787, Albany: The Clinton Avenue off ramp (Exit 4B) will remain closed through September for crews to rehabilitate the ramp.

Route 156, Altamont: The road between Gardner Road and Indian Ladder Drive will be closed beginning Monday until Tuesday, July 2.

Northway, Clifton Park: Southbound lanes will be closed on the bridge carrying the Northway over Route 146 at Exit 9 in Clifton Park, for the next several weekends. A single left lane will be closed on the southbound Northway at Exit 9 beginning Friday at 10 p.m. until Monday at 2 a.m.

Latham Circle, Colonie: The bridges that carry Troy-Schenectady Road (Route 2) over New Loudon Road (Route 9) are being replaced. Latham Circle is reduced to one lane 24/7 until the end of August.

Glenridge Road , Glenville: The road will be closed from Bruce Drive to Maple Avenue until Sept. 8 as part of the ongoing reconstruction project.

Crossgates Mall ramp north to Northway, Guilderland: The bridge ramp will be replaced. The ramp will mostly remain open, but at a reduced width, allowing passenger vehicles to use the ramp.

Birchwood Drive, Princetown: A project to remove the bridge carrying Birchwood Drive (Schenectady County Road 66) over Interstate 88 is under way. The bridge will be closed to traffic.

Western Gateway Bridge, Scotia to Schenectady: One lane will be closed in each direction on the Western Gateway Bridge carrying Route 5 over the Mohawk River between Scotia and Schenectady.

Dunn Memorial Bridge, Rensselaer: The right lane of the westbound ramp onto the bridge will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The right eastbound lane of the bridge and the right lane of the ramp from I-787 southbound onto the bridge will also be closed. These closures will occur from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Congress Street Bridge, Troy to Watervliet: One lane in each direction will be closed to traffic. One sidewalk will remain open.

Ferry Street, Troy: The street is reduced to one lane between Walter F. Uccellini Avenue and Eighth Street.

Toll plaza 25 in Schenectady has a combined total of seven toll lanes. Only one of those seven lanes can be designated for either entry or exiting traffic, he said.

"Currently, on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., more than 12,000 vehicles enter plaza 25, while close to 3,000 exit," he said. "In comparison, between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, just around that same 12,000 vehicles exit the plaza, while close to 3,000 enter."

Exiting traffic takes longer to process than entry traffic, he said.

"A car entering the toll takes only a couple seconds to process, but the average exit time per transaction is 15 to 30 seconds because of ticket verification, toll processing, and if requested, printing a receipt," he said.

Based on that information, three lanes in toll plaza 25 are designated each morning for exit, while four are needed for entry. In the afternoon, only two lanes are designated for entry because four are needed for exiting traffic. "If another lane was designated for entry at this time, an exit lane would need to be closed, creating the possibility for miles and miles of delays on the Thruway's mainline," he said.

Do you have a question about transportation? Call 518-454-5020 or email gettingthere@timesunion.com. Include your name, town and phone number.